88 Facts You Didn't Know About Dev Anand

Dev Anand led a larger-than-life existence on screen. His real life was just as eventful.

A passionate workaholic, even at 88, he had two releases to his credit in one single year -- Hum Dono Rangeen and Chargesheet.

Says a lot about the evergreen, ever-enthusiastic hero who breathed his last on December 3, doesn't it?

There's a lot more about the late legend you probably don't know but are most eager to find out.

In this first part of a nine-part special series, we highlight 88 facts about Devsaab you may not have known.

1. He was called DD in school

Born Dharam Dev Anand, the actor was fondly addressed as DD, an abbreviated version of his first name by his peers in school.

Please post Your Tributes to Devsaab on Zara Bol

After attaining a degree in Bachelor of Arts from Lahore Government College, in pre-Independence India, Dev Anand made a failed attempt to procure admission in the Royal Indian Navy.

His father then proposed his son seek a clerical position in an office.

During his struggling days in Mumbai, Dev Anand worked as a clerk in an accountancy firm for a meager salary of Rs 85 to make ends meet.

Dev Anand's first car was a Hillman Minx, which he bought from the money he earned from the remuneration of Vidya, his first film opposite the woman he loved on and off screen -- Suraiya.

While everyone remembers and raves about his chemistry with top leading ladies like Suraiya, Madhubala, Nutan, Vyjyanthimala, Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz and Hema Malini, Dev Anand's first on screen romance was reserved for Kamala Kotnis in Hum Ek Hain, directed by P L Santoshi.

Of course, the latter is the father of none other than ace filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi.

Did you know Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan was Dev Anand's original choice for the role of Ronnie, an arrogant, waning player in Awwal Number co-starring Aamir Khan?

Khan declined and the part went to Aditya Panscholi.

Besides creating some unforgettable classics, Dev Anand is responsible for giving break to renowned stars like Shatrughan Sinha (Prem Pujari),  Zeenat Aman (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), Zarina Wahab (Ishq Ishq Ishq), Jackie Shroff (Heera Panna), Tina Munim (Des Pardes) and Tabu (Hum Naujawan).

Other than a keen ear for music, Dev Anand is all about striking visuals.

A lot of his films have been shot abroad in countries like England (Prem Pujari, Des Pardes), Nepal (Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Johnny Mera Naam, Ishq Ishq Ishq), Denmark (Pyaar Ka Tarana) and Scotland (Main Solah Baras Ki).

Not many know Dev Anand worked in a Hollywood film, The Evil Within that starred one of his favourite leading ladies Zeenat Aman along with Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh.

Dev Anand's first foreign trip was to Italy, following Baazi's selection at the Venice film festival. 

Making the most of his Euro trip, the Guide star decided to stop by to admire the grandeur of cities like Rome, Paris, Geneva and London.